Articles

By Ron Kujawski

* Buy daffodils if you’re undecided about what spring-flowering bulbs to plant. Yes, they are so common, but they are also sturdy, reliable, resilient, and deer, rabbits, and mice will not eat them. This is one case where familiarity does not breed contempt.

What began as casual field notes and collected imagery evolved into a vibrant, richly layered visual archive. The exhibition runs from Oct. 18 through Nov. 30. Admission is free.

Ready to harvest like a god and prep your yard like a pro? From tasting grapes fit for Dionysus to giving your lawn a root-deep revival, these fall garden tips will have your landscape thriving long after summer’s drama fades.

Great Blue Lobelia dazzles pollinators and a backstory tied to early botanists, Native American remedies and a debunked syphilis cure. Meanwhile, garlic chives burst into fragrant flowers, flavoring both kitchens and history, as the Herb Associates honor their roots with marmalades, infused vinegars and the legacy of herbal pioneer Gertrude Burdsall.

September is the gardener’s secret season — when beans rattle, herbs dry, peonies plot immortality, and sugar water is the new tree tonic. From freezing weevils to sweetening soil, it’s a month where plants and gardeners alike get weirdly productive.

This week’s featured herb? Common Tansy — with its sunny yellow “golden buttons” and a history as rich as its color. Plus, Russian sage is stealing the show with lavender plumes and a botanical backstory worth a double take. Peek into the Herb Kitchen, where lemony teas, tomato dressings and the first jars of Harvest Marmalade are bringing the taste of summer inside.

Labor Day is for kicking back — but your garden didn’t get the memo! From pulling sad annuals to planting fresh mums and plotting next year’s garden greatness, here’s your (not-so-laborless) guide to celebrating Labor Day.

Even in the heat, the Herb Associates are keeping things cool — with blooming marigolds, endangered burnets and a kitchen that smells like herbal heaven. From ancient Aztec flower lore to jalapeño jelly and catnip mice, this week’s garden update is packed with petals, pollinators and plenty of flavor.

The occasion was BBG’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Party, a time-honored tradition that mixes heartfelt thanks with music, laughter and, of course, desserts. This year’s theme, “Daydreaming,” seemed to fit perfectly. It was a dreamy kind of evening — joyful, warm and bursting with the vibrant energy that defines the Garden’s ever-growing volunteer family.

Think your garden's done for the season? Not so fast — there’s still digging, pinching, trimming, and even tomato powder magic to be made before the first frost hits!

This week, we're diving into two powerhouse herbs from the Americas — one that's spicy enough to tickle your nose and another with a heavenly scent that lures in nighttime pollinators. From nasturtium salad garnishes to sacred tobacco traditions and catnip mice for your feline friends, the Herb Associates are blooming with surprises!

This summer, step into the world of Frances Palmer — potter, gardener and photographer — through an immersive new exhibition at Berkshire Botanical Garden that runs in the Leonhardt Galleries from Aug. 15 through Oct. 5.

Squash bugs are bugging your squash? Crows poking holes in everything? Pinch off new growth to focus the plant’s energy and maybe annoy the bugs away. Meanwhile, don’t sunburn your tomatoes. Also, start dreaming about fall bulbs, weed your garden under the noble disguise of meditation, and if your lawn’s still brown after rain — check for life before resuscitation.

About 30 members of the Herb Society of America gathered here for a tour and interactive demonstration led by the long-standing Herb Associates, showcasing their gardens, products and culinary uses of herbs. The event highlighted the group's history, volunteer efforts and creative herb-based offerings like jellies, shrubs and finishing salts, fostering community and education around herbal traditions.

This week’s herb, stevia, may look humble in the garden, but it’s packed with centuries of sweet history, global intrigue and modern-day health benefits — not to mention it’s up to 300 times sweeter than sugar! Meanwhile, the BBG Kitchen is buzzing with lemony delights, herb-infused sugars and garden-fresh creations ready to wow your taste buds and stock your pantry.